In their preseason power rankings, SI has Erik Spoelstra’s team No. 6 in the Eastern Conference and 12th overall, which would be good enough for seventh in the West.

Miami generally is about where most believe it will finish in the East, behind Cleveland, Boston, Toronto, Washington and Milwaukee. Although some have Charlotte ahead of Miami, SI has the Hornets seventh but 17th overall.

More surprising is the Heat are behind just six Western Conference teams – Golden State, Houston, OKC, San Antonio, Minnesota and the Clippers. That puts them in front of Denver, Portland, New Orleans and Memphis, which fall in at Nos. 13 through 16.

As for the big three. … well, this isn’t exactly LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and may been written with tongue firmly planted in cheek, but here is what it says:

Just as Dion Waiters bet on himself last season, though, I am betting on Dion Waiters this season. Hassan Whiteside has grown into a legitimate weapon, and Goran Dragic is still around. That’s a big three if I’ve ever seen one.